Free Level 2 Painting and Decorating Course in Bishop Auckland. Classes run at Bishop Auckland College, full-time during the day, over one year. You'll cover health and safety, surface preparation, applying paint systems to complex areas, hanging wallpaper, creating specialist finishes, and working safely at height using access equipment. The course includes work placement opportunities and links to local employers, giving you hands-on experience alongside classroom learning. You'll also be able to work towards your CSCS card. A Level 1 in painting and decorating or equivalent is an advantage, though English and maths GCSEs are not essential.
Who this course is for
This qualification will support you in pursuing a career as a painter and decorator. The curriculum is matched to industry standards, with links to local employers and work placement opportunities. You will gain confidence in undertaking decorating projects which includes preparation to domestic and commercial work areas, protecting the surroundings as well as complex tasks creating and applying colour and paint systems using both brush and roller. Students can enrich their skills development, work towards their CSCS card, hear industry insight from guest speakers and attend site visits. Progression from this course could lead to an apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
Level 1 in painting and decorating or equivalent, English and maths GCSE Grade 4 or above an advantage but not essential
What you will learn
You'll apply paint systems to complex surfaces using brush and roller techniques.
You'll prepare domestic and commercial work areas, including protecting surroundings before starting.
You'll hang standard papers to walls and ceilings.
You'll produce specialist finishes for decorative work.
You'll erect and dismantle access equipment and working platforms safely.
You'll apply principles of building construction and understand health, safety, and welfare on site.
You'll create and apply colour schemes using industry colour theory.
How you will learn
You'll learn through practical, hands-on sessions in the classroom and workshop, covering both the technical and theoretical sides of painting and decorating. Assessment is through a combination of practical tasks and knowledge-based work matched to City and Guilds standards. The course includes site visits and input from industry guest speakers, alongside work placement opportunities with local employers.
What you will need to bring
You'll need safety footwear and white overalls. Both can be purchased from Bishop Auckland College before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Painter and decorator: how to become a painter and decorator working on domestic and commercial sites.
Decorating operative: entry-level site work for housing developers and contractors.
Maintenance painter: keeping commercial and public buildings in good condition.
Self-employed decorator: running your own painting and decorating business.
What you could study next
Level 3 Diploma in Painting and Decorating: the next step if you want to take on more complex and supervisory work in the trade.
Level 2 or Level 3 Apprenticeship in Painting and Decorating: earn while you learn and work toward a CSCS skilled-worker card.
CSCS Card: not a qualification, but a recognised site-access requirement. This course supports your preparation for it.
